Front structure and rear structure of vehicle

ABSTRACT

Provided is a front structure of a vehicle wherein damage on auxiliary equipment by a millimeter-wave radar is limited at the time of collision, and cooling efficiency for auxiliary equipment using traveling wind is not reduced. A front structure of a vehicle comprises a front right side radar for detecting an obstacle on the front right side of a vehicle by transmitting/receiving a radio wave, a front left side radar for detecting an obstacle on the front left side of a vehicle by transmitting/receiving a radio wave, a bumper reinforcement, right and left crush boxes, and a condenser cooled by traveling wind, wherein the front right side radar is disposed on the outboard side of the right end of the condenser, and the front left side radar is disposed on the outboard side of the left end of the condenser.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a front structure and a rear structure,of a vehicle, including a radar for detecting obstacles, and moreparticularly, to a front structure and a rear structure, of a vehicle,including a plurality of radars for detecting obstacles to left andright sides of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, in order to observe obstacles in front of, to left andright sides of, and behind a vehicle, radars, such as laser radars ormillimeter-wave radars, are used. These millimeter-wave radars include adistance measurement function for measuring the distance from thevehicle to an obstacle by using a millimeter wave having a wavelength of1 mm to 10 mm, and a very high frequency of 30 GHz to 300 GHz, or aspeed measurement function for measuring a speed with respect to anobstacle. Moreover, examples of the intended use of the radars are forPre-Crash Safety (PCS) or adaptive cruise control (ACC), which is acontrol system assisting warnings, displays, risk aversions, and thelike.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional front structure40 of a vehicle equipped with a millimeter-wave radar. (a) of FIG. 4shows a bottom view of the front structure 40, and (b) of FIG. 4 shows afront view of the front structure 40.

The front structure 40 of the vehicle includes a front right sidemillimeter-wave radar 401 a, a front left side millimeter-wave radar 401b, a bumper reinforcement 402, a condenser 403, crash boxes 404, andbrake ducts 405.

In this front structure 40, for example, an impact energy in the eventof collision from the front of the vehicle is dispersed by the bumperreinforcement 402 to front side members (not shown) at the left and theright. The dispersed energy is then efficiently absorbed by the frontside members which are highly improved in yield strength by means ofhigh tensile steel plates, or the like. Also, by providing the crashboxes 404 at joints between the bumper reinforcement 402 and the frontside members, respectively, a collision energy in the event of a minorcollision is absorbed by the crash boxes 404, thereby suppressing thedeformation of the body.

The front right side millimeter-wave radar 401 a and the front left sidemillimeter-wave radar 401 b shown in FIG. 4 are secured on end portions,of the bumper reinforcement 402, at the left and the right, by using thebracket members 406, respectively.

Also, a radio-wave radar for vehicle is disclosed that realizes costreduction, while maintaining the radar function, by reducing the numberof components as well as improvement of the external design of thevehicle (e.g., see Patent Literature 1).

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-231041

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, in the conventional front structure 40 as shown in FIG. 4, thefront right side millimeter-wave radar 401 a and the front left sidemillimeter-wave radar 401 b are arranged in areas near a cover part ofthe vehicle and in front of the condenser 403. Because of this, aproblem occurs that, even in the event of a minor collision from a sideof the vehicle, the front right side millimeter-wave radar 401 a or thefront left side millimeter-wave radar 401 b is readily moved back,thereby ending up with damaging an auxiliary component, such as thecondenser 403 or a radiator, or other pipes or the like.

Further, in this case, there is a problem that such an auxiliarycomponent causes functional damage, such as liquid leakage, therebymaking it difficult for the vehicle to run on its own power due tooverheat or the like. That is, there is a problem in the conventionalfront structure 40 of the vehicle that, even in the event of a minorcollision, the front right side millimeter-wave radar 401 a or the frontleft side millimeter-wave radar 401 b is moved back, ending up withdamaging other parts, thereby impairing the damageability of thevehicle.

Also, in the conventional front structure 40 of the vehicle as shown inFIG. 4, the front right side millimeter-wave radar 401 a and the frontleft side millimeter-wave radar 401 b are arranged to the front side ofan engine, which needs to be cooled by intake air, and the auxiliarycomponent, such as a condenser. Further, in order to reduce damage tothe millimeter-wave radar caused by flying stones, or to provide moreappealing appearance, a cover needs to be provided. Because of this, theopening area for intake air cooling is reduced, thereby impairing thecooling performance. Moreover, in order to secure the detectionperformance of the millimeter-wave radar, the cover needs to be formedin a flat shape.

Still further, in the conventional front structure 40 of the vehicle, afixing location where the accuracy required for the millimeter-waveradar can be secured is limited, and the millimeter-wave radar needs tobe fixed to a bumper reinforcement or the like via a rigid brackethaving a complex structure so that deviation of the axis of themillimeter-wave radar or the like does not occur. Because of this, therealso is a problem, such as increased weight and increased cost.

The present invention is made to solve the problems described above, andis intended to provide a front structure, of a vehicle, which preventsthe reduction in cooling efficiency by use of intake air, and whichsuppresses damage caused to the auxiliary components, such as an airconditioning condenser, by the millimeter-wave radars on the left andthe right sides in the event of collision.

In addition to this, the present invention is also intended to provide afront structure and a rear structure, of a vehicle, which allowsreduction in weight gain of a vehicle, which is caused by a bracketholding a millimeter-wave radar.

Solution to the Problems

In order to solve the problems described above, the front structure ofthe vehicle according to the present invention includes the followingcomponents: a front right side radar for transmitting and receiving aradio wave to detect obstacles to a front right side of the vehicle; afront left side radar for transmitting and receiving a radio wave todetect obstacles to a front left side of the vehicle; a bumperreinforcement which is a reinforcing member for a bumper; a crash box atthe left and a crash box at the right which are impact absorbing memberseach disposed between the bumper reinforcement and a body frame; and anauxiliary component disposed to the rearward of the front right sideradar and the front left side radar, and cooled by intake air. The frontright side radar is arranged to a side farther out than a right end ofthe auxiliary component, and the front left side radar is arranged to aside farther out than a left end of the auxiliary component.

In this configuration, even if the front right side radar and the frontleft side radar are moved back in the event of collision, the radars donot come in contact with the auxiliary components such as an airconditioning condenser, and thus a problem can be prevented that thefront right side radar and the front left side radar damage theauxiliary components such as the condenser, causing liquid leakage andthe like, thereby making it difficult for the vehicle to run on its ownpower.

In addition, since the front right side radar and the front left sideradar are not arranged in front of the auxiliary components, an openingarea for cooling is secured, and therefore the front right side radarand the front left side radar can be prevented from causing reduction inthe performance of cooling the auxiliary components by use of intakeair.

Also, the front right side radar of the front structure of the vehicleaccording to the present invention is arranged below the correspondingcrash box connected to a right end side of the bumper reinforcement, andthe front left side radar is arranged below the corresponding crash boxconnected to a left end side of the bumper reinforcement.

In this configuration, even if the front right side radar and the frontleft side radar are moved back in the event of collision, the radars donot come in contact with the auxiliary components such as the airconditioning condenser or the radiator, and thus a problem can beprevented that the front right side radar and the front left side radardamage the auxiliary components such as the condenser, causing liquidleakage and the like, which makes it difficult for the vehicle to run onits own power.

Further, the front right side radar and the front left side radar of thefront structure of the vehicle according to the present invention arearranged at a predetermined distance or farther from a radiator hoseprovided in front of the auxiliary component.

In this configuration, a situation can be properly prevented, in theevent of collision, that the front right side radar and the front leftside radar are moved back, striking the radiator hose, thereby causingleakage of cooling water or the like.

Also, the auxiliary component of the front structure of the vehicleaccording to the present invention is a condenser or a radiator.

In this configuration, when the front right side radar and the frontleft side radar are moved back in the event of collision, the airconditioning condenser or the radiator, which is the auxiliarycomponent, can be prevented from being damaged.

Further, the front structure of the vehicle according to the presentinvention includes the following components: a radar for transmittingand receiving a millimeter wave to detect obstacles; a bumperreinforcement which is a reinforcing member for a bumper; and a crashbox at the left and a crash box at the right which are impact absorbingmembers each disposed between the bumper reinforcement and a body frame.The radar is arranged within the bumper reinforcement.

In this configuration, the radar is not required to be fixed via abracket member, which is heavy and has a complex structure, and thus theweight reduction of the vehicle can be achieved. In addition, movementof the radar in the event of a minor collision of the vehicle is limitedto within the bumper reinforcement, and therefore other auxiliarycomponents can be prevented from being damaged when the radar is movedback.

Further, the radar of the front structure of the vehicle according tothe present invention is fixed within the bumper reinforcement withbolts fastened from behind the bumper reinforcement, and an opening isformed in a front surface of the bumper reinforcement at a location,corresponding to a radio wave transmission and reception surface of theradar.

In this configuration, there is no metal surface, of the bumperreinforcement, in front of the transmission and reception surface of theradar, and therefore changes in the dielectric constant can beprevented, thereby allowing accurate measurement of distance from thevehicle to an obstacle, and detection of relative speed with respect tothe obstacle.

Further, the radar of the front structure of the vehicle according tothe present invention includes the following components: a front rightside radar for detecting obstacles to a front right side of the vehicle;a front left side radar for detecting obstacles to a front left side ofthe vehicle; and a front radar for detecting obstacles in front of thevehicle. The front right side radar is arranged within and on a rightend side of the bumper reinforcement, the front left side radar isarranged within and on a left end side of the bumper reinforcement, andthe front radar is arranged within and at the center of the bumperreinforcement.

In this configuration, the front right side radar, the front left sideradar, and the front radar can be arranged within the bumperreinforcement.

Further, the rear structure of the vehicle according to the presentinvention includes the following components: a radar for transmittingand receiving a millimeter wave to detect obstacles; a rear bumperreinforcement which is a reinforcing member for a bumper; and a crashbox at the left and a crash box at the right which are impact absorbingmembers each disposed between the rear bumper reinforcement and a bodyframe. The radar is arranged within the rear bumper reinforcement.

In this configuration, the radar is not required to be fixed via abracket member, which is heavy and has a complex structure, and thus theweight reduction of the vehicle can be achieved. In addition, movementof the radar in the event of a minor collision of the vehicle is limitedto within the rear bumper reinforcement, and therefore other auxiliarycomponents can be prevented from being damaged when the radar is movedback.

Further, the radar of the rear structure of the vehicle according to thepresent invention is fixed within the rear bumper reinforcement withbolts fastened from behind the rear bumper reinforcement, and an openingis formed in a front surface of the rear bumper reinforcement at alocation, corresponding to a radio wave transmission and receptionsurface of the radar.

In this configuration, there is no metal surface, of the rear bumperreinforcement, in front of the transmission and reception surface of theradar, and therefore changes in the dielectric constant can beprevented, thereby allowing the accurate measurement of distance fromthe vehicle to an obstacle, and the detection of relative speed withrespect to the obstacle.

Further, the radar of the rear structure of the vehicle according to thepresent invention includes the following components: a rear right radarfor detecting obstacles to a rear right side of the vehicle; a rear leftside radar for detecting obstacles to a rear left side of the vehicle;and a rear radar for detecting obstacles behind the vehicle. The rearright side radar is arranged within and on a right end side of the rearbumper reinforcement, the rear left side radar is arranged within and ona left end side of the rear bumper reinforcement, and the rear radar isarranged within and at the center of the rear bumper reinforcement.

In this configuration, the rear right side radar, the rear left sideradar, and the rear radar can be arranged within the rear bumperreinforcement.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

In a front structure and a rear structure of the vehicle according tothe present invention, by arranging front left and front right sideradars to sides farther out than left and right ends of the condenser,respectively, and below crash boxes connected to left and right endsides of the bumper reinforcement, respectively, damage to an auxiliarycomponent, such as a condenser, can be properly prevented when themillimeter-wave radars are moved back in the event of collision.

In addition, the radars are not arranged in front of the condenser so asto prevent the reduction of performance of cooling the auxiliarycomponent by use of intake air.

Further, because of the radars being arranged within the bumperreinforcement, a bracket structure for holding the millimeter-waveradars can be eliminated, and thus the weight reduction of the vehiclecan be achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[FIG. 1] (a) of FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a bottom view of a frontstructure of a vehicle according to an embodiment 1, and (b) of FIG. 1is a diagram showing a front view of the front structure of the vehicleaccording to the embodiment 1.

[FIG. 2] (a) of FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a front view of the frontstructure of the vehicle according to an embodiment 2, and (b) of FIG. 2is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view, taken along a line A-A, ofthe front structure of the vehicle according to the embodiment 2.

[FIG. 3] (a) of FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a front view of a rearstructure of the vehicle according to the embodiment 2, and (b) of FIG.3 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view, taken along a line B-B,of the rear structure of the vehicle according to the embodiment 2.

[FIG. 4] (a) of FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a bottom view of aconventional front structure of a vehicle, and (b) of FIG. 4 is adiagram showing a front view of the conventional front structure of thevehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   -   10, 20 front structure    -   30 rear structure    -   101 a, 202 front right side millimeter-wave radar    -   101 b, 204 front left side millimeter-wave radar    -   102, 201, 301 bumper reinforcement    -   103, 206 condenser    -   104, 205, 305 crash box    -   105 brake duct    -   106 bracket    -   107 radiator hose    -   203 front millimeter-wave radar    -   202 a, 203 a, 204 a, 302 a, 303 a, 304 a opening    -   302 rear right side millimeter-wave radar    -   303 rear millimeter-wave radar    -   304 rear left side millimeter-wave radar    -   306 lower back panel

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a description is given of embodiments of a front structureand a rear structure of a vehicle according to the present invention,with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 shows an external view of a front structure 10 of the vehicleaccording to a present embodiment 1. (a) of FIG. 1 shows a bottom viewof the front structure 10, and (b) of FIG. 1 shows a front view of thefront structure 10.

The front structure 10 of the vehicle according to the presentembodiment 1 includes a front right side millimeter-wave radar 101 a, afront left side millimeter-wave radar 101 b, a bumper reinforcement 102,a condenser 103, crash boxes 104, brake ducts 105, brackets 106, andradiator hoses 107.

Hereinafter, description is given of functions of the components 101through 107 mentioned above.

The front right side millimeter-wave radar 101 a and the front left sidemillimeter-wave radar 101 b each have a distance measurement functionand a speed measurement function. The distance measurement functionmeasures the distance from the front right side millimeter-wave radar101 a and the front left side millimeter-wave radar 101 b to an object,by calculating the distance from the front right side millimeter-waveradar 101 a and the front left side millimeter-wave radar 101 b to theobject, based on calculation of the relationship between time from thetransmission of a radar to its reception and speed of light. The speedmeasurement function measures a relative speed with respect to theobstacle. Regions shown by dotted lines in (a) of FIG. 1 each indicate adetection region of the radar.

Since high accuracy is required in detecting obstacles, the front rightside millimeter-wave radar 101 a and the front left side millimeter-waveradar 101 b are each fixed to the bumper reinforcement 102, or the like,by using the bracket 106, which is rigid, so that deviation of the axisof each radar does not occur.

The bumper reinforcement 102 is a member reinforcing a bumper, and isinstalled between a body frame (not shown) and a bumper (not shown), tosuppress impact on or vibration of the body frame.

The condenser 103 turns a high temperature and high pressure gaseousrefrigerant, compressed by a car air conditioning compressor, into acool liquid. Also, the condenser 103 is arranged in the verticaldirection, for example, in front of the radiator, because the condenser103 needs to be cooled by using intake air.

The crash boxes 104 are impact absorbing members disposed between thebumper reinforcement 102 and the body frame, and for absorbing thecollision energy so that, in the event of collision at a low speed,damage is limited to deformation of merely these crash boxes 104. Thecrash boxes 104 are advantageous to reduce the damage to the body toimprove safety, and the like.

The brake ducts 105 are ducts, which are made of aluminum and the like,and which are for suppressing a heat amount generated in a brakingevent, by causing intake air to flow from the front of the vehicle tobrake calipers mounted on wheels. Braking uses, for example, hydraulicpistons to squeeze brake pads against the rotor from the left and theright thereof to control the motion of the vehicle, but friction causedby this elevates the temperature of the brake calipers. Therefore, it isnecessary to blow intake air to the brake calipers, by using the brakeducts 105.

Each of the brackets 106 connects and fixes the corresponding frontright side millimeter-wave radar 101 a or front left sidemillimeter-wave radar 101 b to the bumper reinforcement 102 or the like.

The radiator hoses 107 are rubber hoses which connect the radiator(cooling apparatus) with the engine. These radiator hoses 107 are usedto flow cooling water into the radiator, thereby cooling the engine.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the front structure 10 of the vehicle accordingto the present embodiment 1, the front right side millimeter-wave radar101 a and the front left side millimeter-wave radar 101 b are arrangedto sides farther out than the left and right ends of the condenser 103,respectively, (the right and left ends of the condenser 103 correspondto dashed lines indicated by 103 a and 103 b, respectively, in FIG. 1),and are arranged below the crash boxes 104 connected to both end sidesof the bumper reinforcement 102.

Further, the front right side millimeter-wave radar 101 a and the frontleft side millimeter-wave radar 101 b are arranged at a predetermineddistance or farther from the radiator hoses 107.

Because of this, in the front structure 10 of the vehicle according tothe present embodiment 1, even if the front right side millimeter-waveradar 101 a and the front left side millimeter-wave radar 101 b aremoved back in the event of collision of the vehicle, damage to theauxiliary components, such as the condenser 103, or to pipes of theradiator hoses 107 or the like, can be prevented, thereby preventing theproblem that the damage to the auxiliary components causes the liquidleakage or the like, which makes it difficult for the vehicle to run onits own power.

In addition, since the front right side millimeter-wave radar 101 a andthe front left side millimeter-wave radar 101 b are not arranged infront of the condenser 103, the opening area for cooling is secured.Therefore, the performance of cooling the engine, the air conditioningcondenser or the like, by using intake air, is not impaired. Further, itis not necessary to provide a cover, as a conventional front structure,to reduce damage to the front right side millimeter-wave radar 101 a andthe front left side millimeter-wave radar 101 b caused by flying stones,or to provide more appealing appearance. Therefore, there is noreduction in the performance of cooling the auxiliary components, byusing intake air.

Still further, in the front structure 10 of the vehicle according to thepresent invention, a situation can be prevented that the front rightside millimeter-wave radar 101 a and the front left side millimeter-waveradar 101 b are moved back, in the event of collision, striking theradiator hoses 107, causing the cooling water to leak, thereby causingthe engine to overheat in the end.

The cover of a front bumper, described above, needs to pass therethroughthe radio waves which are transmitted to or received from the frontright side millimeter-wave radar 101 a and the front left sidemillimeter-wave radar 101 b, and is therefore formed of a resin or thelike which is a dielectric material having excellent transparency to theradio wave.

Embodiment 2

Hereinafter, description is given of a front structure and a rearstructure of the vehicle according to an embodiment 2 of the presentinvention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 shows an external view of a front structure 20 of a vehicleaccording to the present embodiment 2. (a) of FIG. 2 shows a front viewof the front structure 20, and (b) of FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view,taken along a line A-A, of (a) of FIG. 2.

The front structure 20 of the vehicle according to the presentembodiment 2 includes a bumper reinforcement 201, a front right sidemillimeter-wave radar 202, a front millimeter-wave radar 203, a frontleft side millimeter-wave radar 204, crash boxes 205, and a condenser206. Functions of these components are the same as those of theembodiment 1, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

In the front structure 20 of the vehicle, for example, the front rightside millimeter-wave radar 202, the front millimeter-wave radar 203, andthe front left side millimeter-wave radar 204 are fixed within thebumper reinforcement 201, whose vertical cross section has a polygonalshape (e.g., a substantially rectangular hollow shape), with boltsfastened from behind the bumper reinforcement 201.

Additionally, the openings 202 a, 203 a, and 204 a are formed in thefront surface of the bumper reinforcement 201 at locations,corresponding to radio wave transmission and reception surfaces of thefront right side millimeter-wave radar 202, the front millimeter-waveradar 203, and the front left side millimeter-wave radar 204,respectively. These openings 202 a through 204 a each have, for example,the height of about 100 mm and the width of about 150 mm.

Accordingly, in the front structure 20 of the vehicle according to thepresent embodiment 2, arranging the front right side millimeter-waveradar 202, the front millimeter-wave radar 203, and the front left sidemillimeter-wave radar 204 within the bumper reinforcement 201 obviatesthe need for bracket members which are heavy and have a structure ascomplex as that of the conventional front structure shown in FIG. 4.Therefore, weight reduction of the vehicle can be achieved. Further,movements of the front right side millimeter-wave radar 202, the frontmillimeter-wave radar 203, and the front left side millimeter-wave radar204, in the event of a minor collision of the vehicle, are limited towithin the bumper reinforcement 201. Therefore, other auxiliarycomponents can be prevented from being damaged when the front right sidemillimeter-wave radar 202, the front millimeter-wave radar 203, or thefront left side millimeter-wave radar 204 is moved back.

Additionally, in the front structure 20 of the vehicle according to thepresent embodiment 2, the front right side millimeter-wave radar 202,the front millimeter-wave radar 203, and the front left sidemillimeter-wave radar 204 are not arranged in front of the condenser206, and therefore there is no reduction in the performance of coolingthe engine or the auxiliary component, by use of intake air. Further,the bumper reinforcement 201 can also serve as a protective cover forthe front right side millimeter-wave radar 202, the frontmillimeter-wave radar 203, and the front left side millimeter-wave radar204, and therefore there is no need for newly installing a cover.

Still further, providing the bumper reinforcement 201 with the openings202 a through 204 a eliminates a metal surface from in front of theradio wave transmission and reception surfaces of the front right sidemillimeter-wave radar 202, the front millimeter-wave radar 203, and thefront left side millimeter-wave radar 204. Therefore, transparency canbe provided with respect to the radio wave, and changes in dielectricconstant can be prevented, thereby allowing accurate measurement ofdistance, and detection of speed.

FIG. 3 shows an external view of a rear structure 30 of the vehicleaccording to the present embodiment 2. (a) of FIG. 3 shows a front viewof the rear structure 30 of the vehicle, and FIG. 3 (b) shows a crosssectional view, taken along a line B-B, of (a) of FIG. 3.

The rear structure 30 of the vehicle shown in FIG. 3 includes at least arear bumper reinforcement 301, a rear left side millimeter-wave radar302, a rear millimeter-wave radar 303, a rear right side millimeter-waveradar 304, crash boxes 305, and a lower back panel 306.

Even in the rear structure 30 of the vehicle shown in FIG. 3, the rearleft side millimeter-wave radar 302, the rear millimeter-wave radar 303,and the rear right side millimeter-wave radar 304 are, as similar to thefront structure 20 of FIG. 2 described above, fixed within the rearbumper reinforcement 301, whose vertical cross section has a polygonalshape, with bolts fastened from behind the rear bumper reinforcement301. Additionally, openings 302 a, 303 a, and 304 a are formed in thefront surface of the rear bumper reinforcement 301 at locations,corresponding to radio wave transmission and reception surfaces of therear left side millimeter-wave radar 302, the rear millimeter-wave radar303, and the rear right side millimeter-wave radar 304, respectively.

Accordingly, in the rear structure 30 of the vehicle, arranging the rearleft side millimeter-wave radar 302, the rear millimeter-wave radar 303,and the rear right side millimeter-wave radar 304 within the rear bumperreinforcement 301 obviates the need for bracket members. Therefore,weight reduction of the vehicle can be achieved.

Further, movements of the rear left side millimeter-wave radar 302, therear millimeter-wave radar 303, and the rear right side millimeter-waveradar 304, in the event of collision, are limited to within the rearbumper reinforcement 301. Therefore, the lower back panel 306 and thelike can be prevented from being damaged when the rear left sidemillimeter-wave radar 302, the rear millimeter-wave radar 303, or therear right side millimeter-wave radar 304 is moved back.

Additionally, providing the rear bumper reinforcement 301 with theopenings 302 a through 304 a eliminates a metal surface from in front ofradar transmission and reception surfaces of the rear left sidemillimeter-wave radar 302, the rear millimeter-wave radar 303, and therear right side millimeter-wave radar 304. Therefore, changes in thedielectric constant can be prevented, thereby allowing accuratemeasurement of distance, and detection of speed.

Although the description of each embodiment described above is givenassuming that radars are millimeter-wave radars, the present inventionis not limited thereto, and is applicable to other devices, such aslaser radars, and ultrasonic wave sensors, which have functions todetect obstacles.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A front structure and a rear structure of a vehicle according to thepresent invention is applicable, for example, to moving objects, such asvehicles, which are equipped with a plurality of the radars fordetecting obstacles to front left and front right sides or rear side ofthe moving objects.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A front structure of a vehicle comprising:a radar for transmitting and receiving a millimeter wave to detect atleast obstacles in front of the vehicle; a bumper reinforcement which isa reinforcing member for a bumper; and a crash box at the left and acrash box at the right which are impact absorbing members each disposedbetween the bumper reinforcement and a body frame, wherein the radar isarranged within the bumper reinforcement.
 2. The front structure of thevehicle according to claim 1, wherein the radar is fixed within thebumper reinforcement with bolts fastened from behind the bumperreinforcement, and an opening is formed in a front surface of the bumperreinforcement at a location corresponding to a radio wave transmissionand reception surface of the radar.
 3. The front structure of thevehicle according to claim 1, wherein the radar includes: a front rightside radar for detecting obstacles to a front right side of the vehicle;a front left side radar for detecting obstacles to a front left side ofthe vehicle; and a front radar for detecting obstacles in front of thevehicle, wherein the front right side radar is arranged within and on aright end side of the bumper reinforcement, the front left side radar isarranged within and on a left end side of the bumper reinforcement, andthe front radar is arranged within and at the center of the bumperreinforcement.
 4. A rear structure of a vehicle comprising: a radar fortransmitting and receiving a millimeter wave to detect at leastobstacles behind the vehicle; a rear bumper reinforcement which is areinforcing member for a bumper; and a crash box at the left and a crashbox at the right which are impact absorbing members each disposedbetween the rear bumper reinforcement and a body frame, wherein theradar is arranged within the rear bumper reinforcement.
 5. The rearstructure of the vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the radar isfixed within the rear bumper reinforcement with bolts fastened frombehind the rear bumper reinforcement, an opening is formed in a frontsurface of the rear bumper reinforcement at a location, corresponding toa radio wave transmission and reception surface of the radar.
 6. Therear structure of the vehicle according to 4, wherein the radarincludes: a rear right side radar for detecting obstacles to a rearright side of the vehicle; a rear left side radar for detectingobstacles to a rear left side of the vehicle; and a rear radar fordetecting obstacles behind the vehicle, wherein the rear right sideradar is arranged within and on a right end side of the rear bumperreinforcement, the rear left side radar is arranged within and on a leftend side of the rear bumper reinforcement, and the rear radar isarranged within and at the center of the rear bumper reinforcement, therear left side radar is arranged within and on a left end side of therear bumper reinforcement, and the rear radar is arranged within and atthe center of the rear bumper reinforcement.